Sports Briefs

Arsenal's Wenger charged by FA

LONDON (AP):

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was charged yesterday for his conduct inside the match officials' changing room following a Premier League game in which his team conceded a contentiously awarded penalty.

Wenger's language and behaviour after Arsenal's 1-1 draw at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday was "abusive and/or improper and/or questioned the integrity of the match referee," the English Football Association said.

Wenger was incensed at the awarding of a penalty against Arsenal for handball by Calum Chambers. West Brom converted the penalty in the 89th minute for the equaliser.

After saying the decision was "difficult to accept," Wenger added that he thought referees "do not work enough," having been a major driver behind making them professional.

He also hinted that Arsenal was being targeted by referees. Wenger has until Friday to respond to the charge.

Ex-boxer Vinny Paz accused of beating up, biting man

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP):

Retired boxing champion Vinny Paz, whose comeback story after a car crash was dramatised in the 2016 film Bleed for This, has been accused of attacking a Rhode Island man and sending him to the hospital.

The 55-year-old former champ said he had been robbed and did what he had to do.

Providence police said they were called to a home early yesterday morning. When officers arrived, witnesses told them Paz had accused a friend of stealing $16,000 and then assaulted him.

The man was taken to the hospital with injuries including several broken teeth, a black eye and bite marks that drew blood. Witnesses told police that Paz left before police got there.

Federer wins in straight sets at Hopman Cup

PERTH, Australia (AP):

Roger Federer continued preparation for his Australian Open title defence with a 6-3, 7-6 (8) win over Karen Khachanov at the Hopman Cup, helping give Switzerland a 2-0 win over Russia.

Federer's playing partner Belinda Bencic beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in a later women's singles match yesterday, to give Switzerland their second consecutive win in Group B.

The 36-year-old Federer had his service broken by the 21-year-old Khachanov in the opening game, but rebounded to break back immediately and won the opening set in 29 minutes.

Khachanov matched Federer impressively with backhand winners in the second set before a back-and-forth tiebreaker. Federer saved a set point in the tiebreaker and won on his third match point after a successful challenge.